Effects of desert plant communities on soil enzyme activities and soil organic carbon in the proluvial fan in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain in Ningxia,China

It is of great significance to study the effects of desert plants on soil enzyme activities and soil organic carbon(SOC)for maintaining the stability of the desert ecosystem.In this study,we studied the responses of soil enzyme activities and SOC fractions(particulate organic carbon(POC)and mineral-associated organic carbon(MAOC))to five typical desert plant communities(Convolvulus tragacanthoides,Ephedra rhytidosperma,Stipa breviflora,Stipa tianschanica var.gobica,and Salsola laricifolia communities)in the proluvial fan in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,China.We recorded the plant community information mainly including the plant coverage and herb and shrub species,and obtained the aboveground biomass and plant species diversity through sample surveys in late July 2023.Soil samples were also collected at depths of 0–10 cm(topsoil)and 10–20 cm(subsoil)to determine the soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities.The results showed that the plant coverage and aboveground biomass of S.laricifolia community were significantly higher than those of C.tragacanthoides,S.breviflora,and S.tianschanica var.gobica communities(P<0.05).Soil enzyme activities varied among different plant communities.In the topsoil,the enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase(ALP)andβ-1,4-glucosidas(βG)were significantly higher in E.rhytidosperma and S.tianschanica var.gobica communities than in other plant communities(P<0.05).The topsoil had higher POC and MAOC contents than the subsoil.Specifically,the content of POC in the topsoil was 18.17%–42.73%higher than that in the subsoil.The structural equation model(SEM)indicated that plant species diversity,soil pH,and soil water content(SWC)were the main factors influencing POC and MAOC.The soil pH inhibited the formation of POC and promoted the formation of MAOC.Conversely,SWC stimulated POC production and hindered MAOC formation.Our study aimed to gain insight into the effects of desert plant communities on soil enzyme activities and SOC fractions,as well as the drivers of SOC fractions in the proluvial fan in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain and other desert ecosystems.

Regression of East Tethys resulted in a center of biodiversity: A study of Mysmenidae spiders from the Gaoligong Mountains, China

DEAR EDITOR,This research involved the study of 31 species from the spider family Mysmenidae Petrunkevitch,1928,found in the Gaoligong Mountains of China,including one new genus and 13 new species.Our results suggested that regression of East Tethys contributed to the appearance of a center of biodiversity.The Tethys,a classical and hot topic in geology.It has undergone a succession of significant geodynamic transformations,transitioning from an ancient ocean to the current Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt.Notably,the East Tethys,serving as an invaluable lens through which to study continental geology and geodynamics,has played a pivotal role in triggering the major geological reconstructions of the entire Tethys(Pan et al.,1997).

Exhumation and Preservation of the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-PGE Deposit under the East Longshou Mountain Thermal Evolution,Revealed by Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology

Uplift and exhumation are important factors affecting the preservation of deposits.The anatomy of uplift-cooling evolution and exhumation in the East Longshou Mountain is of significant research value in understanding changes in the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-PGE deposit since its formation.This study uses apatite fission track(AFT)thermochronology to reconstruct the thermal history of the East Longshou Mountain,including the Jinchuan mine,revealing the uplift and exhumation history of the East Longshou Mountain and elucidating the preservation status of the Jinchuan deposit.The AFT ages in the East Longshou Mountain are distributed from 62.3±3.0 Ma to 214.7±14 Ma,with significant differences in ages in distinct areas,the central and pooled ages being consistent within the margin of error.Inverse thermal history models reveal two rapid cooling events associated with exhumation from the Early Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous(200–100 Ma)and since the Miocene(15–0 Ma),the former attributable to the far-afield response to the closure of the PaleoTethys Ocean and plate assembly at the southern margin of Eurasia,the latter associated with the initial India-Eurasia plate collision.A slow cooling event from the Early Cretaceous to the Miocene(100–15 Ma)is thought to be related to the arid environment in northwest China since the Cretaceous.These cooling events have diverse responses and cooling rates in different blocks of the East Longshou Mountain:the southwest and centre of which are mainly cooled over 200–120 Ma and 120–0 Ma,with cooling rates of~0.25 and~0.33°C/Ma(~1.25 and~0.33°C/Ma in the centre);the Jinchuan mine primarily cooled over 160–100 Ma,100–15 Ma and 15–0 Ma,with cooling rates of~1.33,~0.25 and~2.00°C/Ma.These differentiated coolings imply that the uplift of the East Longshou Mountain before the Miocene(~15 Ma)was integral.Strong uplift then occurred in the vicinity of the mining area,which is a critical period for the uplift of the Jinchuan deposit to the surface,meaning that the Jinchuan deposit was exposed no earlier than the Miocene(~15 Ma).Based on mineralization depth information obtained by previous researchers,in conjunction with the calculation and simulation results of this study,it can be seen that the bulk of the Jinchuan intrusion may still be preserved at depth.

Tourism resource assessment and spatial analysis of wine tourism development： a case study of the eastern foothills of China＇s Helan Mountains

The reasonable development and utilization of mountainous regions closely relates to local economic development and ecological security. The wine production region in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains in Ningxia, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with its excellent terroir, is emerging as one of China's three major geographical attractions. Based on surveys of tourism resources and spatial analysis for this wine producing region, we propose a highly representative and practicable path for wine tourism development. Based on China's national standard in Classification, Investigation and Evaluation of Tourism Resources(GB/T 18972-2003), which recommended the types and grades of tourism resources in one area, we conduct an analysis of resource characteristics and the current state of development. Using Arc GIS software, spatialautocorrelation analysis, average nearest neighbor analysis, as well as clustering and outlier analysis, we are able to derive the spatial distribution characteristics of tourism resources. Our survey showed that tourism resources in this area are relatively abundant and have good quality and clear combination advantages. Nonetheless, there are resources shortage for wine tourism and poor integration of wine production with the tourism industry. Regarding the spatial distribution of resources, we revealed the current states of and issues surrounding regions with concentrated resources, as well as characteristics of this clustering. Finally, we proposed a development path for wine tourism in this region based on the five dimensions of management mode, industrial path, product development, spatial optimization, and market development.

Terroir Suitability Zoning for the Six Prevailing Wine Grape Varieties in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region(with a Focus on the Helan Mountain East) of China

Terroir plays an important role in wine grape production and good wine making.Among all the aspects of terroir in a given region,climate,soil and variety are the most important ones.The goal of this study was to evaluate these three aspects of terroir in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China,with a focus on the Helan Mountain East.Based on historical weather data during the period 1981 to 2016 from 22 meteorological stations in the research area,the climatic indices were derived,with which the growable zone for wine grape cultivation in the research area was identified.By synthesizing the climatic indices and soil type data,stepwise and optimization methods were used to divide the growable zone into optimal,suitable,near-suitable and unsuitable zones for the six prevailing wine grape varieties.In the analysis,the six prevailing wine grape varieties include two white wine grape varieties of“Chardonnay”and“Riesling”and four red wine grape varieties of“Cabernet Sauvignon”,“Merlot”,“Pinot Noir”and“Grenache Noir”.With the Geographic Information System(ArcGIS)software,the geographical distributions of these terroir suitability zonings were mapped in the research area according to a small grid simulation model.The results showed that the growable zone for wine grapes was mainly focused in most of the northern and central parts of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.This particular zone was suitable for the typical red wine varieties like late-maturing“Grenache Noir”,medium-to-late maturing“Cabernet Sauvignon”,medium-maturing“Merlot”and early-maturing“Pinot Noir”.In particular,the optimal zone for these four red wine varieties was centered in Xixia county of Yinchuan city,Pigeon Hill of Qingtongxia city and Baima Township of Zhongning County.For the two early-to-medium maturing white wine varieties of“Riesling”and“Chardonnay”,the optimal and suitable zones were in the cool area of the central arid zone and the Qingshui River tributary.

The protective effect of cyclodextrin on the color quality and stability of Cabernet Sauvignon red wine

The impact of cyclodextrins(CDs)on wine quality and stability remains largely unknown.This study systematically assessed the protective effect of the post-fermentation addition of CDs on color stability of red wine from the viewpoints of color characteristics,copigmentation and phenolic profiles.The grey relational analysis(GRA)and principal component analysis(PCA)methods were employed to dissect the key effective determinants related to color quality.The addition of CDs induced a significant hyperchromic effect of 8.19-25.40%,a significant bathochromic effect and an enhancement of the color intensity.Furthermore,the evolution of anthocyanin forms and the content of monomeric anthocyanins revealed that β-CD is a superior favorable cofactor during wine aging,but for long-term aging,2-HP-β-CD and 2-HP-γ-CD are more beneficial in promoting the formation of polymerized anthocyanins and color stability.This work provides an important reference for the use of CDs to enhance the color quality and stability of red wines.

Remote Sensing Monitoring of the Subalpine Coniferous Forests and Quantitative Analysis of the Characteristics of Succession in East Mountain Area of Tibetan Plateau——A Case Study With Zamtang County

The study area lies in the Dadu River drainage area in upstream Yangtze River.The spatial distribution of subalpine coniferous forests in 1989 and 2009 was extracted by means of a combined method of object orientation and visual interpretation,and then the overlaying analysis of these data was conducted.The type and spatial location of succession were discovered and served as the sample of dependant variable.Meanwhile,supported by GIS technology and based on DEM and thematic data,the eight variables including altitude,slope,sin and cosin of aspect,curvity of land surface,and distance to residential area,cultivated land and road were extracted served as the sample of spatial succession of subalpine coniferous forests to fit Logistic Regression,and then the contribution of each independent variable as well as the spatial property of the occurrence probability of succession was calculated.The results suggested that,during the succession of subalpine coniferous forests to meadow,the closer to the residential area and cultivated land,the greater the contribution to succession is.In particular,when the distance to the residential area decreases by one unit,the probability for its conversion to meadow will be increased by 1.15 times.During the succession of subalpine coniferous forests to deciduous-broadleaved shrubs,the sin of aspect and distance to residential area contribute more,and the probability of succession increases with increasing degree of northwardness,i.e.when the degree of northwardness increases by one unit,the probability will be increased by 1.2 times.The quantitative analysis of spatial succession property of subalpine coniferous forests will supply scientific basis to the protection and restoration of subalpine coniferous forests.

Circulations and Thermodynamic Characteristics of Different Patterns of Rainstorm Processes in the Eastern Foot of Helan Mountain

Based on the observational hourly precipitation data and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF)Reanalysis 5(ERA5)products from 2006 to 2020,22 rainstorm processes in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain are objectively classified by using the hierarchical clustering method,and the circulation characteristics of different patterns are comparatively analyzed in this study.The results show that the occurrences of rainstorm processes in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain are most closely related to three circulation patterns.PatternsⅠandⅢmainly occur in July and August,with similar zonal circulations in synoptic backgrounds.Specifically,the South Asia high and the western Pacific subtropical high are stronger and more northward than those in normal years.The frontal systems in westerlies are inactive,while the water vapor from the ocean surface in the south is mainly transported to the rainstorm area by the southerly jet stream at 700 h Pa.The dynamic lifting anomalies are relatively weak,the instability of atmospheric stratification is anomalously strong,and thus the localized severe convective rainstorm is more significant.Comparatively,rainstorm processes of patternⅠare accompanied by stronger and deeper ascending motions,and the warm-sector rainstorm is more extreme.PatternⅢshows a stronger and deeper convective instability,accompanied by larger low-level moisture.Rainstorm processes of patternⅡmainly occur in early summer and early autumn,presenting a meridional circulation pattern of high in the east and low in the west in terms of geopotential height.Moreover,the two low-level jets transporting the water vapor northward from the ocean on the east of China encounter with the frontal systems in westerlies,which makes the ascending motion in patternⅡanomalously strong and deep.The relatively weak instability of atmospheric stratification causes weak convection and long-lasting precipitation formed by the confluence of cold air and warm air.This study may help improve rainstorm forecasting in arid regions.

Study on the Edge Effect of Orthopteran Community in Ningxia Helan Mountain

[Objective] The study aimed to discuss the influences of edge effect on orthopteran community in east slope of Helan Mountain.[Method] Samples are collected by using sample zone method.The different species of orthopterans in different habitats are recorded.[Result] The percentage of Oedipodidae,Catantopidae and Pamphgidae in total are 42.65%,29.15% and 12.76% respectively.From scattered grassland interior to edge and then to desert grassland,abundance increase in turn,but diversity in the edge is the highe...

Effects of gravel on the water absorption characteristics and hydraulic parameters of stony soil

The eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains in China are a typical mountainous region of soil and gravel,where gravel could affect the water movement process in the soil.This study focused on the effects of different gravel contents on the water absorption characteristics and hydraulic parameters of stony soil.The stony soil samples were collected from the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains in April 2023 and used as the experimental materials to conduct a one-dimensional horizontal soil column absorption experiment.Six experimental groups with gravel contents of 0%,10%,20%,30%,40%,and 50%were established to determine the saturated hydraulic conductivity(K_(s)),saturated water content(θ_(s)),initial water content(θ_(i)),and retention water content(θ_(r)),and explore the changes in the wetting front depth and cumulative absorption volume during the absorption experiment.The Philip model was used to fit the soil absorption process and determine the soil water absorption rate.Then the length of the characteristic wetting front depth,shape coefficient,empirical parameter,inverse intake suction and soil water suction were derived from the van Genuchten model.Finally,the hydraulic parameters mentioned above were used to fit the soil water characteristic curves,unsaturated hydraulic conductivity(K_(θ))and specific water capacity(C(h)).The results showed that the wetting front depth and cumulative absorption volume of each treatment gradually decreased with increasing gravel content.Compared with control check treatment with gravel content of 0%,soil water absorption rates in the treatments with gravel contents of 10%,20%,30%,40%,and 50%decreased by 11.47%,17.97%,25.24%,29.83%,and 42.45%,respectively.As the gravel content increased,inverse intake suction gradually increased,and shape coefficient,K_(s),θ_(s),andθ_(r)gradually decreased.For the same soil water content,soil water suction and K_(θ)gradually decreased with increasing gravel content.At the same soil water suction,C(h)decreased with increasing gravel content,and the water use efficiency worsened.Overall,the water holding capacity,hydraulic conductivity,and water use efficiency of stony soil in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains decreased with increasing gravel content.This study could provide data support for improving soil water use efficiency in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains and other similar rocky mountainous areas.

Re-Os Age of Cu-Ni Ores from the Huangshandong Cu-Ni Sulfide Deposit in the East Tianshan Mountains and Its Implication for Geodynamic Processes

An isochron age of 282±20 (95% conf. limit) Ma of the sulfide ores in the Huangshandong Cu-Ni sulfide deposit, the East Tianshan Mountains has been obtained through Re-Os isotopic measurement. The age implies that the Cu-Ni sulfide deposit and other related deposits in the same area occurred in a Permian extensional environment of post-collision instead of Devonian-Early Carboniferous ophiolite-related oceanic or island arc environments inferred before. It shares the same ages with the orogenic and epithermal gold deposit systems in the same area. An initial 187Os/188Os ratio of 0.25±0.04 (1σ) and a γos value of 99 on average display the participation of large quantities of crustal components into the rock-forming and ore-forming system during mineralization and magmatic emplacement.

Alkaline Intrusives at the East Foot of the Taihang-Da Hinggan Mountains:Chronology,Sr,Nd and Pb Isotopic Characteristics and Their Implications

Based on the Rb-Sr isochron dating results, this paper suggests that the alkaline intrusive belt at the east foot of the Taihang-Da Hinggan Mountains were formed between 135 and 122 Ma. And the alkaline intrusives in the north and south sections of this belt have entirely different Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic characteristics, i.e., all the rocks in the south section have positive εSr(t) and negative εNd(t) values and all those in the north have the opposite values. On the εSr(t) versus εNd(t) correlation diagram, the samples from the south are concentrated along the enriched mantle evolution trend lines and nearby, while those from the north fall along the depleted mantle trend lines and nearby. On the Pb isotope composition diagram, most of the samples from the south section fall on the mantle Pb evolution line and nearby, while those from the north lie between the Pb evolution lines of the mantle and the erogenic belt. The above-stated isotopic characteristics not only indicate that the source rocks of the alkaline intrusives in the south section have a close connection to materials from the enriched mantle reservoir, while those in the north are related to materials from the depleted one, but also reveal that the upper mantle below the North China platform is enriched and that below the Inner Mongolia geosyncline is depleted.

Omni-Directional Distribution Patterns of Montane Coniferous Forest in the Helan Mountains of China

Slope aspect has significant effect on the development and distribution of montane forest, especially in arid and semiarid regions. This paper, using SPOT5 images and 1：5o,ooo DEM, digitally extracts and analyzes the spatial information of montane coniferous forest （mainly Qinghai spruce）, and thereby explores how the upper and lower limits and the altitudinal range of coniferous forest vary and how the area of coniferous forest is related with annual insolation with all aspects in the Helan Mountains. The results show that： 1） In the eastern flank, the lower limit of coniferous forest is between 1,6oo m and a,ooo m a.s.l., and the upper limit between 2,800 m and 3,ooo m a.s.1.; in the western flank, the lower limit of coniferous forest is between a,ooo m and 2,300 m a.s.l., and the upper limit between 9,80o m and 3,1oo m a.s.1.2） The altitudinal ranges of coniferous forest are 8o6-1,435 m, 438-1,14o m for eastern flank and western flank, respectively. 3） The area of coniferous forest takes on a normal distribution with aspect, and it has a close relationship with annual insolation. This distribution model developed in this paper quantitatively reveals the significant effect of slope aspect on the distribution of coniferous forest in arid and semi-arid land.

Drought fluctuations based on dendrochronology since 1786 for the Lenglongling Mountains at the northwestern fringe of the East Asian summer monsoon region

The Lenglongling Mountains （LLM） located in northeastern part of the Tibet Plateau, belong to a marginal area of the East Asian summer monsoon （EASM） and are sensitive to monsoon dynamics. Two tree-ring width chronologies developed from six sites of Picea crassifolia in the LLM were employed to study the regional drought variability. Correlation and temporal correlation analyses showed that relationships between the two chronologies and self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index （sc_PDSI） were significant and stable across time, demonstrating the strength of sc_PDSI in modeling drought conditions in this region. Based on the relationships, the mean sc_PDSI was reconstructed for the period from 1786 to 2013. Dry conditions prevailed during 1817-1819, 1829-1831, 1928-1931 and 1999-2001. Relatively wet periods were identified for 1792-1795 and 1954-1956. Spatial correlations with other fourteen precipitation/drought reconstructed series in previous studies revealed that in arid regions of Northwest China, long-term variability of moisture conditions was synchronous before the 1950s at a decadal scale （1791-1954）. In northwestern margin of the EASM, most of all selected reconstructions had better consistency in low-frequency variation, especially during dry periods, indicating similar regional moisture variations and analogous modes of climate forcing on tree growth in the region.

Preliminary investigation of rubidium distribution in the Grove Mountains area, East Antarctica

We analyzed rock samples from the Grove Mountains in Antarctica to determine the distribution of rubidium （Rb） in that location. We collected samples from the Black Nunataks, Melvoldt Nunataks, Mason Peaks, Zakharoff Ridge, Mount Harding, and the northern Gale Escarpment. Geochemical analysis indicated that in some samples the amount of Rb was higher than 300 ppm. This suggests that rocks from the Grove Mountains are rich in Rb. Based on field observations and previous research, we speculate that mica and potash feldspar from moyite, granite gneiss, and felsic pegmatite are the primary carrier minerals of Rb. However, further research is necessary to confirm this speculation.

U-Th-Pb monazite and Sm-Nd dating of high-grade rocks from the Grove Mountains, East Antarctica: further evidence for a Pan-African-aged monometamorphic terrane

The Grove Mountains, 400 km south of the Chinese Antarctic Zhongshan Station, are an inland continuation of the Pan-African-aged （i.e., Late Neoproterozoic/Cambrian） Prydz Belt, East Antarctica. In this paper we carried out a combined U-Th-Pb monazite and Sm-Nd mineral-whole-rock dating on para- and orthogneisses from bedrock in the Grove Mountains. U-Th-Pb monazite dating of a cordierite-bearing pelitic paragneiss yields ages of 523 ？ 4 Ma for the cores and 508 ？ 6 Ma for the rims. Sm-Nd mineral-whole-rock isotopic analyses yield isochron ages of 536 ？ 3 Ma for a coarse-grained felsic orthogneiss and 507 ？ 30 Ma for a fine-grained quartzofeldspathic paragneiss. Combined with previously published age data in the Grove Mountains and adjacent areas, the older age of ~530 Ma is interpreted as the time of regional medium- to low-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism, and the younger age of ~510 Ma as the cooling age of the granulite terrane. The absence of evidence for a Grenville-aged （i.e., Late Mesoproterozoic/Early Neoproterozoic） metamorphic event indicates that the Grove Mountains have experienced only a single metamorphic cycle, i.e., Pan-African-aged, which distinguishes them from other polymetamorphic terranes in the Prydz Belt. This will provide important constraints on the controversial nature of the Prydz Belt.

Dynamical role of the Rocky Mountain controlled by East Asian topographies in modulating the tropospheric westerly jet in northern winter

Large-scale mountains like Asian topographies and the Rocky Mountains have important influences on subtropical jet streams(STJs)over downstream regions in winter.The dynamical role of the Rocky Mountains in modulating STJs with and without the existence of East Asian(EA)topographies in northern winter is investigated via numerical experiments.In agreement with previous studies,the Rocky Mountains(topographic forcing),with the existence of EA topographies,can only strengthen the STJ from the east coast of North America to the western Atlantic region.The independent role of the Rocky Mountains,however,strengthens the STJ over not only the east coast of North America but also over Pacific regions.It is found that the existence of EA topographies can dramatically strengthen the EA trough,as well as a downstream ridge which,in the upstream of the Rocky Mountains,acts to partly cancel out the strengthening of the anticyclone to the north of the Rocky Mountains and the northward warm air transport in the high latitudes of Pacific regions due to the Rocky Mountains’forcing alone.Such circulation changes effectively weaken the Rocky Mountains–forced strengthening of the meridional temperature gradient in the midlatitude North Pacific,and thus the STJ there.Therefore,EA topographies are of great importance in modulating the role of the Rocky Mountains as a dynamical forcing of STJ variability.

Comparison of the Typical Metallogenic Systems in the North Slope of the Tongbai-East Qinling Mountains and its Geologic Implications

The Tongbai-East Qinling Mountains, an important part of the Central orogenic belt, is one of the most important metallogenic belts in China and contains lots of orogenic-type and VMS-type （Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide type） metallogenic systems. The Dahe and Shuidongling VMS-type Cu-Zn deposits, located in the Erlangping Group in Tongbai and East Qinling Mountains, respectively, show similar geological and geochemical features. The Huoshenmiao Formation in the East Qinling region and the Liushanyan Formation in the Tongbai region are spilite-keratophyre sequences occurring in the western and eastern sides of the Nanyang Basin, respectively, and are interpreted to be equivalent to each other. The orogenic-type Au-Ag deposits can be subdivided into two styles; namely, fault- or structure-controlled （e.g. Yindonggou） and stratabound （e.g. Poshan）. The Poshan and Yindongpo orogenic-type Au-Ag deposits, whose ore bodies are strictly hosted in carbonaceous strata in the Tongbai Mountains, show obvious stratabound characteristics. Their ore-fluids are enriched in K^＋ and SO^2-4 and are regarded as K^＋-SO^2-4 types. The Pb-isotope ratios of sulfides of the ores are extremely uniform and significantly different from those of the tectonostratigraphic terranes of the Qinling orogens except for the ore-hosting strata of the Waitoushan Formation. The Yindonggou and Xuyaogou orogenic Au-Ag deposits in the East Qinling Mountains, whose ore bodies are hosted in the faults cutting the hosting strata or granite body, show fault-controlled characteristics. Their ore-fluids belong to the Na^＋-Cl^- type. The Pb-isotope ratios of sulfides of ores are similar to those of the northern Qinling orogenic belt. The Waitoushan Formation, dominated by carbonaceous sericite-rich schists and only occurring in Tongbai region, should be detached from the Erlangping Group, which occurs both in the western and eastern sides of the Nanyang Basin. Future ore exploration in the Tongbai-East Qinling Mountains should focus on fault-controlled Au-Ag lodes.

The Mechanical Characteristics and Damage Model of Helan Mountain Rock based on Acoustic Emission

With the risk of disappearing for the rock paintings considering long-term exposure in Helan Mountain,the freeze-thaw(F-T)cycling experiments were carried out with 12-hour F-T cycling(0,10,20,30,and 40 F-T cycles)under five kinds of confining pressures(5,10,20,30,and 40 MPa).The acoustic emission(AE)detect technology was used to reveal the rock fracturing characteristics during the triaxial compression test whole process.The stress-strain relation changes along with different confining pressures and F-T cycles.Peak stress and residual stress changes along with different confining pressures and damages,and the variation of axial stress-AE ringing counts-time changes along with different confining pressures and F-T cycles.The damage variable with AE parameter under F-T and force coupling was defined for the first time,and the damages model was established.The experimental results show that the F-T cycles lead to the decrease of rock strength and the gradual transformation of compression failure mode from brittleness to plasticity.The confining pressure provides a certain ability to resist deformation and inhibit crack growth for rock samples after F-T cycles.The temporal and spatial evolution law of AE counts well corresponds to the loading and failure process of the rock samples.The AE 3D positioning technology can accurately capture the development position and direction of internal cracks and pores of rock,and the failure form is conical shear failure.The established damage model has a better fittingness between the theoretical calculation results and the test results,and is reasonable to be used in the future for protection of Helan Mountain rock painting.

Preliminary study on the erratic exposure ages of Grove Mountains,East Antarctica

The first study of erratic boulder exposure ages in the Grove Mountains, interior Antarctica, indicates the two erratic boulders （060131-1 and 060131-2, collected from a typical nunataks, Zakharoff Ridge in the Grove Mountains） have 10 Be minimum exposure ages of 1.24 ±0. 11 Ma, 1.37 ±0. 12 Ma, and ^26Al ages of 0.90 ±0.12 Ma,0.44 ±0.04 Ma, respectively. Meanwhile, another erratic boulder sample 060131-4, coming from vicinal ice surface, has ^10Be and ^26Al minimum exposure ages of 0.47 ±0.3 Ma and 0. 44 ±0.04 Ma, respectively. The exposure ages of the three erratic boulders are nearly similar to the bedrocks with the similar elevation. Thus, using the technique of in situ produced terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides, the ice sheet evolution histories in the Grove Mountains reflected by erratic boulder and bedrock exposure ages are basically consistent.